Performance of Laser Processed Aluminum Alloys for Engine Bore Applications

A new patent pending processing technique, Laser Induced Surface Improvement (LISI), was used to process cast aluminum alloy 319, a common automotive engine block material. Wear resistant layers with thickness in the range .06-.09 cm were created using LISI. These samples were subjected to hardness, wear, and metallographic analysis, and show promise for use as bore surfaces.